Since his arrival at Columbia in July 2005, Brett Boretti has revitalized the Columbia Baseball program in every aspect, building the Lions into a perennial Ivy League contender.

Under his leadership, Boretti has led the Lions to five Gehrig Division titles, four Ivy League championships, a number of wins over major programs and four NCAA Tournament victories.

Four of Boretti's players have been Ivy League Player of the Year (Henry Perkins - 2008, Dario Pizzano – 2012, Gus Craig – 2014, Randell Kanemaru - 2017), two have been named Pitcher of the Year (Pat Lowery - 2010 and David Speer - 2014) and five have been named Rookie of the Year (Nick Cox - 2008, Dario Pizzano – 2010, Will Savage – 2014, Randell Kanemaru - 2015, Julian Bury - 2017). In the last four seasons, Columbia has had 34 players selected to All-Ivy League teams, bringing the total of players to receive conference recognition under Boretti's leadership to 83, including 30 first team selections.

Additionally, designated hitter Joey Falcone became the first Columbia baseball All-American in 31 years after being selected to the second team by the NCBWA and was a third team selection by the ABCA in 2015.

Over the course of the last six years, seven of Boretti's players have been drafted by Major League clubs and two have signed as free agents. Pizzano and Lowery were selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. The Seattle Mariners selected Pizzano in the 15th round of the MLB Draft and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim chose Lowery in the 21st round. In the 2013 MLB amateur draft, Alex Black was taken in the 29th round by the Kansas City Royals. Following the draft, Tim Giel signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees. In 2014, Speer was selected in the 27th round by the Cleveland Indians. Joey Donino signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in the fall of 2014 before a trio of players were selected in the 2015 draft. Craig was a 30th round pick of the Seattle Mariners, while the New York Mets took George Thanopoulos and the Angels picked up Jordan Serena, both in the 35th round respectively. Falcone earned a free agent deal with the Yankees as well during the summer of 2015. Savage was selected in the 16th round by the Detroit Tigers and Thanopoulos, who returned for his senior season, was taken in the 27th round by the Colorado Rockies in 2016.

During Boretti's tenure, Columbia's facilities also have been revitalized, as Robertson Field at Satow Stadium has been transformed into one of the best college baseball facilities in the Ivy League and in the Northeast. In the fall of 2007, the playing surface was rebuilt with FieldTurf™, enabling the Lions to have more outdoor practice opportunities during the offseason. In 2016, new batting cages were installed beyond the left field wall.

Another upgrade took place during the summer of 2010 when stadium-style seating was installed, adding to the stadium's capacity. Included in the renovations were upgraded dugouts and an extended press box.

Additionally, a Seasonal Air-Supported Structure opened for the first time in February 2017, allowing the Lions to practice inside a 650,000 cubic-foot dome over the Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium during the winter months.

Boretti's squads have shown tremendous grit, especially in recent years, boasting a 14-4 record in “elimination games,” dating back to the 2013 NCAA Fullerton Regional. They are also 8-1 in those type of contests at Robertson Field at Satow Stadium.

In 2017, the Lions were back in Ivy League title contention once again after winning 10 of their final 11 Ancient Eight contests, rallying from two-games back on the final regular season weekend, to force a Gehrig Division Playoff game. Columbia put a league-high seven players on the All-Ivy League squad, highlighted by Player of the Year (Kanemaru) and Rookie of the Year (Bury) selections. Kanemaru and Kyle Bartelman also went on to earn ABCA All-Region Second Team honors.

The 2015 season was one for the ages, capped off by tallying an Ivy League-record three wins at the NCAA Coral Gables Regional with victories over East Carolina, FIU and the University of Miami. Prior to their history-making run in the NCAA Tournament, the Lions earned their third consecutive Ivy League Championship and broke the school record for wins in a season for the third year in a row at 34-17.

Offensively, Columbia was one of the top teams in the league, leading the Ancient Eight in on-base percentage (.404), runs (147), RBI (140), triples (6), walks (83) and stolen bases in conference-only games. The Lions’ 502 was the most in program history and on the hill, Columbia recorded 17 saves another new record.

For all the team’s accomplishments, Boretti was selected as the inaugural Ivy League Coach of Year and ECAC Co-Coach of the Year.

In his ninth year at the helm, Boretti led Columbia to its most successful season in program history in 2014. A program-record 15-game win streak helped the Lions amass 29 wins, the most ever. Columbia once again captured the Gehrig Division, shutting out Penn in a one-game playoff, 4-0, and then swept Dartmouth for the second straight season in the Ivy League Championship Series to claim the program's 12 conference title and third with Boretti as head coach. The conference title punched Columbia's ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season, traveling to Coral Gables, Florida, to compete on the national stage.

The 2014 team left its mark on the record books in eight statistical categories, excelling in each facet of the game. At the dish, the Lions racked up 424 hits (sixth), 13 triples (eighth) and 64 stolen bases (sixth). On the mound, the Lions stellar pitching staff posted a 3.36 ERA (fifth), 343 strikeouts (second) and 12 saves (first). Playing some of the cleanest baseball in the nation, Columbia recorded a .975 fielding percentage, the best ever in program history. During the conference-only slate, Columbia led the way with a .279 batting average and 2.51 ERA and tied for the league-lead with a .983 fielding percentage.

The 2013 season set a new standard for the program to build on. Columbia tied what was then the single-season win mark, capturing 28 victories, while setting a new standard for Ivy League wins. The Lions were the gold standard in the Ivy League, winning 16 conference games and then swept Dartmouth in the Ivy League Championship Series for the second Ancient Eight title under Boretti's direction. Statistically, the Lions paced the Ivy League in both batting average (.286) and ERA (1.94) in conference-only games.

Winning the Ivy League Championship ensured Columbia a spot in the NCAA Baseball Championship. The Lions went on to win their first game ever in NCAA play, toppling New Mexico, 6-5, in 13 innings.

The Lions also set new program records in strikeouts (357), saves (12) and fielding percentage (.971). Columbia also swiped 79 bases, the third-highest total in program history.

The 2012 campaign proved to be another strong season for Columbia, winning 20 games for the second time in three seasons and finished with a .600 winning percentage in the Ivy League for the second time during that span.

In 2011, the Lions began the season at 7-3, including wins over Illinois, Central Michigan, South Alabama (twice) and a two-game sweep of Florida Gulf Coast. It was the best start for a Columbia team in 23 years.

The 2010 season resulted in a number of highlights as the Lions posted a 26-21 record, the program's first winning season in 23 years.

Columbia captured the Gehrig Division title after a 14-6 Ivy League regular season and also set a program record for most wins at home with 16 of those 26 victories coming at Robertson Field. In 2010, Columbia's pitching staff led the Ivy League in strikeouts and team earned run average for the first time since that 1987 season and the Lions batted .311 as a team.

The Lions also rattled off an eight-game win streak to start their home slate, the longest since 1987 and the longest win streak against Division I opponents since 1976.

In 2009, Boretti guided the Lions to the program’s first victories over teams from Texas (#23 Lamar) and California (Cal State Northridge).

During that season, Ron Williams ‘09CC broke the Columbia all-time hit record. Williams finished his prolific four-year career under Boretti’s guidance with 205 hits, breaking a record that had stood for 14 years. Williams also ranks third all-time in doubles, third in runs batted in, fifth in total bases and tied for fourth in triples.

In 2008, Boretti led Columbia to its first Ivy League Championship since 1977 as the Lions established a then-program record for most Ivy League wins in a season with 15. After defeating Dartmouth in a best-of-three series, Columbia received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking its first appearance since 1976.

Prior to coming to Morningside Heights in July 2005 as just the third Lion head coach in 25 years, Boretti was the head coach at Franklin & Marshall College, posting a 116-82 record over five seasons.

The Diplomats made history in 2005 when Boretti coached the team to a 25-16 record, including a school record-setting 15-3 mark in Centennial Conference play. Franklin & Marshall won the conference title for only the second time in school history and ranked seventh in the final American Baseball Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Region poll.

Franklin & Marshall posted 24 or more wins in three of Boretti’s five seasons as head coach.

Boretti served two years, 1998-2000, as an assistant coach at Brown. During his tenure with the Bears, he coordinated recruiting efforts, coached hitting and the outfield, and was responsible for all daily operations of the program.

Boretti coached at his alma mater, Davidson, from 1996-98, following a one-year stint at Endicott College in his hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts.

Inducted into the Davidson Athletics Hall of Fame in January 2010, Boretti was one of the Wildcats’ best all-time players. He went on to become the most prolific hitting catcher in Davidson history, earning two All-Southern Conference first-team honors, and still remains as the only Davidson player to be named to the All-SoCon Tournament team.

Boretti’s junior year was his best, when he led the squad with a .386 average and slugged .705 with 17 doubles and 13 home runs (with just 13 strikeouts) while driving in 48.

A model of durability, he started all but two games at catcher in his last three years, plus set school records for being hit by a pitch in a season (16) and a career (25). Among career records, Boretti ranks first in sacrifice flies, second in doubles, fourth in total bases, fifth in RBI, tied for fifth in home runs, eighth in games played and tenth in batting average. He earned All-Southern Conference first team honors in 1993 and 1994.

A team captain and Most Valuable Player in 1994, he also was named to the Southern Conference’s academic honor roll. Boretti also played football at Davidson and was Offensive Player of the Year in 1990 as a freshman.

While attending Davidson, he participated in the prestigious Cape Cod League in the summer of 1992 and 1993 and made the all-star squad in 1993.

After college, he was an all-star catcher for the North Central Professional Baseball League champion Brainerd Bears of Minnesota. In 1995, he spent spring training with the Cleveland Indians.